Most Expensive Labubu Toys Ever Sold
Labubu began as an eccentric creation out of the sketchbook of a Hong Kong illustrator. It is now among the most sought-after designer toy collectibles. Labubu, by Kasing Lung and manufactured by Pop Mart, is a worldwide cult favourite. Some versions have sold for over $100,000 at auction after originally retailing for under $30.
This article highlights the reasons why Labubu has become so valuable- and what causes its current increased prices on the contemporary art and collectible toy markets.
What Makes a Labubu Expensive?
The value of Labubu is affected by a number of factors. These are low quantities produced, scarcity of designs, artist habits, special editions and growing demand. Like any other fine art or fashion, scarcity and exposure determine desirability. High-profile auctions and celebrity endorsements have propelled Labubu into the realm of collectible investment pieces.
- 1. Labubu’s Origins and Rise to Popularity
- 2. Auction Highlights: From Toy to Collectible
- 3. The Most Expensive Labubu Ever Sold
- 4. Limited Editions and Artist Collaborations
- 5. Labubu’s Role in the Designer Toy Movement
- 6. Celebrity Endorsement and Cultural Momentum
- 7. The World of Kasing Lung
- 8. Why Collectors Are Paying Attention
1. Labubu’s Origins and Rise to Popularity
Labubu is the monster character created by the illustrator Kasing Lung in 2015 in his series of stories called The Monsters. The character is a mix of humorous, creepy aspects referring to Nordic folklore and pop surrealism. In 2019, Pop Mart started to manufacture Labubu toys in greater quantities, particularly in blind box versions. These mystery boxes stirred up fan demand, trade communities and an emerging resale market.
Labubu was special because it had short production runs and innovative designs. Some releases were limited to just 100 to 300 units, which are rare by edition.
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2. Auction Highlights: From Toy to Collectible
The greatest change in the status of Labubu was the time when it started to be included in the catalogues of international auction houses. A set of Three Wise Labubu fetched more than 25000 dollars in 2023. The three figures, consisting of PVC and sized 40 cm each, were released in a limited edition that attracted a lot of attention among collectors.
Artist Kasing Lung was also successful with his Labubu-themed paintings. His Mon fetched $42,120 at Phillips Hong Kong. Another Labubu work, Excited Plastic, sold at auction in 2025, realizing $100,000. These sales confirmed that Labubu had moved beyond toys and into serious collectible art.
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3. The Most Expensive Labubu Ever Sold
In June 2025, Yongle International Auction in Beijing broke the record for Labubu sales. A human-size Labubu made in mint green (131 cm high) fetched 1.08 million yuan--roughly $150,000. There is only one copy of this version in the world.
There were 48 other Labubu-related lots in the auction, which totalled 3.73 million yuan. A smaller edition of three PVC Labubu figures fetched 510,000 yuan, proving again the demand for both large and small editions.
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4. Limited Editions and Artist Collaborations
Certain versions of Labubu are valuable just by virtue of being difficult to locate. The Zimomo x Labubu: I Found You plush is one of them. The original price was approximately £164, but it currently sells in the UK resale market at over 1000 pounds.
Preproduction resin prototypes and those personally custom-painted by Kasing Lung himself can command thousands. The relatively small number of these pieces, typically restricted to a few dozen or fewer pieces, are handled more like original art than mass-market toys.
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5. Labubu’s Role in the Designer Toy Movement
Labubu is part of an emerging genre known as vinyl or art toys. These figures are more focused on artistic design rather than on traditional play features. They are made in small editions and frequently hand-painted and are aimed at adult collectors, not children.
The character design is one thing, but it is the vision of its creator that attracts collectors. The story of Labubu parallels previous triumphs by artists such as KAWS or Bearbrick, who likewise began their careers with toy-based artworks before being accepted into the art world.
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6. Celebrity Endorsement and Cultural Momentum
Celebrities have also contributed to Labubu going mainstream. Rihanna was spotted with a Labubu figure on her handbag. Dua Lipa has shared images of her Labubu collection on the internet. This exposure introduces the character to new viewers and increases its apparent worth.
Like with sneakers or streetwear, celebrity usage can cause scarcity and overnight price increases. It also assists in bringing Labubu out of the niche markets into the pop culture realms.
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7. The World of Kasing Lung
The artistic influence of Kasing Lung goes well beyond toys. Lung is a painter, sculptor and illustrator who originally trained as a comic book artist and now resides in the Netherlands. He has exhibited in leading galleries in Tokyo and Hong Kong.
In 2022, his solo exhibition -+ at Kaikai Kiki Gallery in Tokyo presented huge colourful paintings that re-created Labubu in a painterly fashion. His 2023 exhibition CLOUD in Japan featured more subdued and personal sketches. These exhibitions established Lung not only as a toy designer but also as a legitimate visual artist.
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8. Why Collectors Are Paying Attention
To the collectors, Labubu is not just a toy. It is a cross between a design object, a cultural icon and an artwork. Limited-edition prints or sculptures are equal to rare editions, signed editions of figures, and artist collaborations in the fine art scene.
As Labubu pieces are now being included in the major auction houses and specialist auctions, such as that of Yongle, become increasingly popular, collectors are viewing the toys as long-term investments. They are also placing their bets on the rising role of Kasing Lung in the international art arena.
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Final Thoughts: Labubu’s Future in the Art Toy Market
Labubu began as a 20-dollar toy and is currently making six-figure auction prices. It is not all hype--that represents a change in our attitudes toward design, creativity, and collectibles. Having a solid foundation in storytelling, low production, and increasing popularity around the globe, Labubu is not a collectible toy anymore.
It belongs to a new era of cult objects of art. The role that Labubu is playing in art and popular culture is set to increase as more collectors and institutions pay attention. As either an enthusiast or a new customer, knowing this journey assists in comprehending why it has an increasing market worth.
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